It only seems like a few weeks ago that NES Works looked back at the original Gradius — oh, wait, it was. Well, this week, it's time to knuckle down for a look at the next Gradius game to make its way to the U.S., the third entry in the series, which appeared on the Super NES at launch. The two games have a somewhat similar place in their respective consoles' history, but they said very different things about each.

But don't take my word for it. Watch the video and, uh, take my word for it.

Video description: Konami makes its Super NES debut (and so soon on this channel after their first NES game!) with the third Gradius game, and the second to make its way to the U.S.: Gradius III, a verrrrry sloooow adaptaaaation of a murderous arcade game. While it doesn't show off Nintendo's shiny new Super NES hardware to the most flattering effect, the constant, all-consuming slowdown actually does have its share of beneficial side effects....